The footage released by scientists showcases a “sea flower” with massive tentacles silently capturing prey at a depth of 2,994 meters in the Pacific Ocean.
A group of scientists discovered a peculiar “sea flower” while using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to explore the depths of the Pacific Ocean. This expert team is part of the non-profit organization Ocean Exploration Trust. The research team utilized the Nautilus research vessel, which navigated to an unexplored underwater volcanic region near Johnston Atoll, located to the west of Hawaii.
During their exploration of the Pacific Ocean, the research team unexpectedly encountered a strange “sea flower.” (Photo: Live Science)
The expedition at Johnston Atoll took place from June 20 to July 13, 2022, focusing on studying biodiversity in the area. The Ocean Exploration Trust operated the Nautilus and streamed several ROV dives.
During the mission, the ROV captured images of a strange marine creature at a depth of 2,994 meters. It has tentacles reaching up to 40 cm and a stalk extending up to 2 meters. Its tentacles resemble spiky flower petals, giving it the appearance of a flower drifting freely. This unusual marine creature is a type of sea pen. However, this is the first time the team has seen a sea pen with such a distinctive shape.
The sea pen has tentacles up to 40 cm long. (Photo: Live Science)
Some experts suggest that it is likely a new species. However, others believe it could be the species Solumbellula monocephalus, which is typically found in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Therefore, the experts believe they may have discovered a new species.
Steve Auscavitch, the lead researcher and deep-sea biologist at Boston University, described the sighting as incredibly “fascinating.” In an interview with Live Science, he stated: “Occasionally, we encounter something strange like this. Near the end of our exploration journey, we happened to observe two sea pens. However, the camera only captured one. The one we recorded was even larger than our ROV.”
Scientists suspect it is a new species of sea pen. (Photo: Live Science)
To confirm the identity of this sea pen, Auscavitch mentioned that he would seek additional information from other marine biologists. Based on the impressive size of the creature, Auscavitch speculated that it is quite old, but he could not provide a specific age. “Analyzing this specimen will help experts determine whether this is the first instance of Solumbellula monocephalus in the Pacific or a new species in this marine area,” Auscavitch said.
Sea pens typically have a large, tall body, about 40 cm in height, and are distributed in the North Atlantic. Their habitat is relatively small, with coral-like tentacles forming a network. These creatures come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. They possess a delicate and beautiful appearance, and a sea pen can emit light when touched. They are very sensitive organisms that can live anywhere, including on sand or debris. They often thrive in the harshest environments, over 600 meters below the ocean surface. Scientists estimate that sea pens can live for more than 100 years.
Sea pens are often found on the ocean floor. (Photo: Pixabay)
Interestingly, the discovery by Steve Auscavitch’s team occurred just months after scientists in Spain named two new sea pen species: Pseudumbellula and Solumbellula. This finding was published in the journal Invertebrate Systematics.
